Craving for the Holy Temple

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Wouldn't it be grand if there was a temple of worship where all were invited? No one had to convert to nothing. No proselytizing, just warm welcomes. Wouldn't it be grand if our prayers were assured to be answered at such a place?

There was such a place long ago. The Holy Temple.





Let's have it again.

The Second Law of Thermodynamics 2

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This post is an extension from that post.

So, using the Esther story because it seems like a concentrated & sped up version of the other Biblical recountings...

Remember the beginning of the story:

1 Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus--this is Ahasuerus who reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over a hundred and seven and twenty provinces--

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5 And when these days were fulfilled, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the castle, both great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king's palace;

King Xerxes (Ahasuerus) decided to have a feast. Everyone was encouraged to participate. King Xerxes being not Jewish was serving unkosher food, but the Jews participated in it anyway. This would eventually be the link to their unstable condition -because this shows already a weakness in holding on to their principles.

What was the basis for their fear? Look at what happened to Vashti, the Queen no less! She was made to part with her head!! Nevertheless, it was required that the Jews hold fast --which they didn't.

Fast forward to a different part of the story. Haman plotted to destroy them and got the okay from the King. So something had to be done quickly to ameliorate the situation.

Queen Esther, the new queen, calls on a three day fast by her people. The energy begins to change. The 2nd law of thermodynamics is in the works.

Now for the turbine:

"...Esther put on her royal apparel..."

The garment and royalty.

In kabbalah, clothing represents a "force field" a protection for the inner person and "his wife" or malchut or his mission -however you want to phrase it. It is also described as a representative of "chashmal" a "surrounding glow" (modern Hebrew translates chashmal as "electricity"). Basically its the protector of a person's inner strength.

This is why we stress that a person not be seen with torn clothes or stained clothes. Its representative of that person's inner strength not being protected, or a sign of vulnerability.

So, she picked up a shield. Let's continue...

"...So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre..."

The sceptre is the king's sceptre: Basically, she comes before God /King. The trick about this story is that at times when they say "King" one doesn't know if they mean King Xerxes or the King of Kings. Let's continue...

"And Esther said: 'If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him...."

She attempts to REVERSE the state of affairs. This requires intelligence. The ability to see where the source of a problem began, so that one can rectify it. She knew that it was because they had succumbed to pressure and went to the feast of the king that caused them to be in this predicament, so now Queen Esther is reversing the role. Now she's having a banquet. She's the one in charge, She's the one creating and enforcing something. She's doing it on her own terms -kosher. BW take heed.

"...Then the king said: 'Cause Haman to make haste, that it may be done as Esther hath said...."

(Book of Esther 5:5)

See the quickness that the King (of kings) fulfills the request!

"So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen..."

(B of Esther 7:1)

And it came to pass. Her 'creation' or her "law" was fulfilled.

"Then Esther the queen answered and said: 'If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request.." (B of Esther 7:3)

The petition. This is what she wants done: that her life and that of her people should be saved. The end result.

And the rest is history. They get the bad guy, their lives are saved. They renew their devotion to the Torah and to God. Yay! Another holiday is created! Let's eat!!!

So, to review, what is the turbine? My guess is that its a series of acts. 1) good presentation -which translates in the physical world as putting on proper attire. This serves as a shield for the person. 2) the act of repentance. Being honest with one's self at what was done wrong and rectifying it. And 3) being grateful when its all over, and renewing one's principles and path of righteousness.

**UPDATE**
A more general way of putting it is that I think the spiritual turbine would be the movements we do as a result of having prayed, praised, or verbally read and learned some Biblical passage. The aroused movement will God willing cause a great influx of energy and its up to us to use it towards what it is we're yearning for.

House of war/ Dar Al Harb Map?

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I think it would be convenient to everyone if there was a Dar al Harb Map. Then everyone will know where they stand and what to expect.

Dar al harb means house of war in Arabic. There are three major categories that a country can fall into. Dar al Harb is one of them. It is a term classically referring to those countries where the Muslim law is not in force, in the matter of worship and the protection of the faithful and Dhimmis.[4] The term refers to the relationship between an Islamic state and neighbouring non-Muslim states with whom it has not signed a peace treaty or pact. wiki.

Basically countries that are not yet under Muslim laws.

Also, Dar al Hudna, House of calm is important. Those are place or countries that once was under Muslim control but somehow the Muslims lost control over it. And so its a basically a country that is considered in a state of waiting. Waiting until the resident Muslims are powerful enough to regain control.

(the third one is Dar al Islam, House of Islam -where Islam is in place)

I think it would be beneficial to have a map where these things are listed so that simple folks who just want to live and not get involved in religious wars (jihads) will know this. That way, they can determine better where they want to live and factor this in.

On Target

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With the whole Cynthia Mckinney business going on it was a bit of a bummer. As blogger were gleeful to maybe now have a valid excuse to hate Jews or Israelis or however they want to phrase it, I wasn't sure what was going on.

Then I remembered last weeks Torah reading was Parashat Balak! (Numbers 22,2-25,9) lol.

The Second Law of Thermodynamics

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If I was a scientist, I would say:

The second law of thermodynamics is an expression of the universal principle of increasing entropy, stating that the entropy of an isolated system which is not in equilibrium will tend to increase over time, approaching a maximum value at equilibrium. (wikipedia)


Wiki pic:


In other words, in small teeny tiny particles experiment, we see that things tend to slow down as time moves forward. The amount of useable energy a thing has decreases as time moves forward.

(Just a reminder that the first law of thermodynamics says that energy in convertible. Either its an actual matter, actual energy or heat.)

Say we have an ice cube. Nice solid, Strong. And let's say we use this cube as a paper weight..... lol!

After a while, this ice cube's substance will expand out. It will turn into water. Evevtually the water molecules will want to expand some more and become gas! Ah heat, the final frontier -you can't get anymore expansive then that!

What?! That means theoretically, that eventually every thing will become just some gas? Some hot air? My books.. my house... me?!!

Okay. Let's not think about that for now. Science.

So, energy likes to go from great concentration to lesser concentration. Scientists have learned that this is just inevitable -that's why it became a law. We can temporarily halt this event, but that's it -temporary. But we can also "catch" the energy as it flows from one concentration to the lesser one.

With the use of a turbine - a wheel that turns as the energy passes through it. This turning wheel can be connected to an electric generator and thereby make some electricity.

I'd say all that if I was a scientist. (you can read more about this fascinating stuff in easier language here! )

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If I was a Spiritual mentor, then I would say...

The second law of thermodynamics is an expression of the universal principle that eventually all that is left is one's spiritual parts and prayer.



(Just a reminder that the first law of thermodynamics says that our actions, our prayers, and the expended heat/efforts are seen as one and convertible)

Let's take a person, for example. She just sits there solid and strong. Eventually she will exert energy and excess heat and she will speak. Eventually as she lives her life and time passes, she becomes less mobile. So she talks more. Prays, shoots the breeze, jokes, learns out loud, etc.

But we can also "catch" the energy as it flows from one concentration to the lesser one.

Say somebody wants something. They stop eating, they fast and convert more energy into the less concentrated "gas" form. They pray. Now what would be the "turbine" to make the fasting and praying productive?

Let's look at the story of Esther. Persia was breathing down the necks of the Jewish people in the form of Haman who was able to get passed a decree to annihilate them. Something had to be done quickly! Mordechai and Esther came up with a plan. Fasting and prayer and on the third day ---when the engine was fully revved up-- Esther would go to King Xerxes to plead for her people...

Book of Esther. Chapter 4:
16 'Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day; I also and my maidens will fast in like manner; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish.'

17 So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.

Chapter 5:
1 Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house; and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the entrance of the house.

2 And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight; and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre.

3 Then said the king unto her: 'What wilt thou, queen Esther? for whatever thy request, even to the half of the kingdom, it shall be given thee.'

To be continued...too sleepy.

The Crown

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Certain topics are hard to get out of my head. One concern is the issue of slavery that is still going on in places like Sudan. Why are Africans seen as slaves? Why do some AA have to struggle with the gravedigger stigma? What can I do about it?

Well, attempting some Jewish aiki-jujitsu on the topic (lol!)I am reminded that mankind began in Africa. The beginning. The foundation which means Yesod in Hebrew. This term or concept is flanked to the left and to the right by other concepts that must come into play in order for the foundation/Yesod to function properly. There are two "birds" that should be around making a home in order for the nest (foundation) to be complete. A sceptor and a sword is needed for the king's kingdom. Netzach and Hod. However way you can hear this.

Take a slave and a king, strip them of their dignity and their ability to reinforce any law they put down and you get: the slave remains a slave and the king becomes a slave. The difference between the two is the dignity and the ability to reinforce the law they put down.

To me, that explains why there is a constant back and forth between hearing BF being called "slave" vs them calling themselves or each other "kings and queens". And how shall the kings and queens resume their majestic roles? Personally, I think the world depends on it but I digress.

REGAINING THE CROWN

Firstly, it is important to note that this is not relative. This is not "in relation to another race" nor does it effect any others except for how they will view BW (or BF for that matter). This isn't about powering over anyone. Its about self empowerment. Self confidence. Truth. Godliness.

True Good is good all around.

So how does one regain one's honor? You forget about it.

"He who runs away from honor, honor chases after him."

Instead, focus on the two birdies...



THE FIRST BIRD: NETZACH AND THE SWORD

There is no place for laziness here. That has got to be chased away. Netzach is about being all over a concept, a topic, or a subject. Learning it from the ground up. Viewing it with different lenses until it is completely understood. Sleep it, eat it, drink it. Make it your new best friend.

I think BF and Jews are alot in common. But luckily for the Jews, there was the Torah to focus on in order to not be tainted by all the negativity that is looking for any opening to seep in and wreak havoc in a people.

So too, BF individually ought to have a main focus.

There is much talk about how BF are way too emotional, etc. Okay, it has its values, but whatever. In order to not invest too much emotions in the wrong avenues -and if there is so much emotions to go around-- so I say rechannel it. Channel it towards whatever wisdom you want to acquire.

Knowledge is something stored in the head.

The Arse!

Why is it that when some people talk they make reference to..**ahem** the arse? As if its a separate entity.

"Git your big a**** over here!!!"

LOL!

Is it a mere play on words? More not-so-subtle derogatory name calling?

Like I have said many times, I have a suspicion that BF represents the Yesod of Man -the ultimate man that encompasses all of mankind. Yesod is represented by the groin area in kabbalah. So, why don't folks refer to other folks by the front side? Why only the backside?

1) That would be way vulgar!

2) When God does not show favor to someone, it is said His Face is turned away. The Backside is shown.

The backside represents no grace, and no favors. Strict, exacting judgment is at hand. And kindness is nowhere to be found it seems. We, created in His Holy Image, if we see in others...a....backside, to the point of referring to one another as backsides, what "image of God" is our spiritual eyes seeing in each other? What image are we invoking in others?

The Backside.

Is that what we want? Yes, its colorful and funny, but is that what we want?

I submit that we find more encouraging references for each other. By filling ourselves (foundation/Yesod/groin area) with wisdoms and knowledge, we are in effect creating a whole being -an upright Man- rather than scattered parts of a person -some arse without a head or the rest of a body. Its almost as if there would be no need to divide between the upper part of the body and the lower part -both parts would have a bit of holiness.

Spiritually speaking, this makes me think of knowledge vs faith. As much as we are able to, we ought to apply science and math and history to understand the world, to understand God. Where we find borders (keter) -that is, areas that we just can't understand due to the limits of the science and math that we possess that day-- then, we rely on faith. But faith should not be a dirty thing. Nor should knowledge be viewed as an uppity thing. Somehow the two must come together in a round about swirl, one feeding the other, until slowly slowly that whole spirals of knowledge, faith, knowledge, faith leads us to know God, godliness, more completeness.

THE SECOND BIRD: HOD AND THE SCEPTER

Hod represents humility, empathy, splendor. This side is about taking something and bringing a little umpf! into it. Like Michael Jordan did to basketball. Like Patricia Bath did to cataract removal operations. Or Norbert Rillieux and his invention of evaporators for refined sugars.

I don't think there is a big issue in the splendor department, but I DO think humility can be rectified.

Humility is not about walking with one's head down in shame. Its not even about downplaying one's abilities. Its about KNOWING one's ability and acknowledging that it is a gift from God (so there is no purpose to getting a big head about it nor looking down at another for not having the same gift) and it come with a function (that you have to figure out lol).

In Jewish teachings, Moses was the humblest man. With God's help, he took the Jewish people out of the 49th level of impurity, he yanked them right out of another nation that was happily enslaving them. He was a savior! Yet he was humble. According to the Bible, Miriam and Aaron spoke out against him, and yet he remained silent. According to the Oral Tradition, Moses's praises was sung in heavens, and again, he was silent. Neither one effected him -neither insult or praise went to his head. **sigh** I only wish I could do better...

But this is an ideal to come as close to as possible.

Empathy can also take us a long way. True we want to avoid pity parties, but a face of flint is not always called for either. At some point, "everyone needs a hand to hold onto.." as the song goes. Balance.

CONCLUSION

We have our own issues. Our own internal battles, our own external battles. It does not do us any good to keep investing ourselves in things that do not really help us grow, or that we have to pretend like we care about just to fit in somewhere. Once we stop looking to the right and to the left, and start looking straight at our true goals and ambitions and love suddenly our two tweeting birds will come to carry us to our throne. Cultivate these birds. Their strength is what will carry us to success!

Praise God.

Thoughts, Blogs, News

Kaguya at Notes of a Jewpanese blog says it seems that "diverse" equals "non-white".

And for all you NON- don't think about the Palestinians, just stick it to the Jews folks- Palestinians workers make the bulk of builders. Stopping settlement building the way they are doing it takes away their livelihood. Here's a post about that by Khalid Abu Toameh. The last time I wrote a piece he did, it got censured and taken down.

And finally, rest in peace, Piotr Stanczak.

North Korea tested more of their short range missiles. Are they unstoppable? Should somebody try to control them?

According to ABW at Diary of an Anxious Black Woman blog, princess Tiana is not even a real princess!
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Some interesting play on words...
English: Black. Hebrew: ShaHor)
BLACK = SH*H*R (SHaHoR)

H*R*SH (HoReSH) =to plow into physical or mental objects. OR smooth.

R*H*SH (RaHaSH)= to move quickly and quietly

SH*H*R (SHaHaR) =morning

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